No, not really. I usually have it next to me or in my hands. For sure, the AK120 is more pocketable but I don't want to run it unamped because of the output impedance. Also, ak240 is coming but who wants to keep a 2000$ DAP in their pocket while they're walking around in the city. Most of the DAP's at the moment aren't very pocket friendly. I bought my DAP's and IEM'S because I want to listen to music when I rest or just hang around and chill. SE5 are the perfect partner IMO. I mean if you take a ride on the bicycle, I don't want to wear my customs meanwhile.

AK120's output impedance is not a problem with SE5way, SE5way is impedance is 135, it is not effected by AK120's output impedance.

ZX1 seems like a nice option, costs less than AK120, gives nice sound and very pocketable.

@Flaco, for the balanced card, the benefit is much larger from standard card to balanced card used single ended than from balanced card SE to balanced card balanced. My meaning is that the balanced card in itself is great, using a TRRS just gives the last bit of gain.

In terms of pairing...I still love the Tera the most I think...but 901 and ZX1 are great in their own way. But the AK120 pairing...well not so great AT ALL to my ears.

I liked the SE5 with my 901 (balanced card). It was probably the best I've heard the SE5 in terms of definition and resolution. It was crystal clear, accurate, and the note weight was just right. Mine were terminated TRRS utilizing the full power and benefits from the balanced HO. I only had one issue with mediocre recordings - which they sounded a bit boomy, too warm. That has little to do with the combo, and more to do with the recordings themselves. Honestly, the 901 is good with the standard card but definitely takes it up a notch with the balanced card. You aren't getting "the best DAP atm" sound quality without the balanced card. That would definitely be my next purchase. The cable termination isn't as important, I feel it was a slight increase in overall dynamics and soundstage, but subtle.

I will definitely go for the balanced card. I just bought the HM-901 and the SE5 withing 1 week. My wallet... :D.

I also want to go for aftermarket cables and I need to figure out what to get because I want the best possible connection at the sockets of the SE5 to make sure my monitors won't get damaged. DHC cables seem to make a special connector for the SE5 that I would be willing to buy. My silver dragon v1 cable just broke today. The isolation at the 2pin area went off resulting an open cable with broken wires, really sad. At the moment I am just enjoying the music immensely. The SE5 offers tons of resultion, I wasn't expecting this to be honest.

I will definitely go for the balanced card. I just bought the HM-901 and the SE5 withing 1 week. My wallet... :D.

I also want to go for aftermarket cables and I need to figure out what to get because I want the best possible connection at the sockets of the SE5 to make sure my monitors won't get damaged. DHC cables seem to make a special connector for the SE5 that I would be willing to buy. My silver dragon v1 cable just broke today. The isolation at the 2pin area went off resulting an open cable with broken wires, really sad. At the moment I am just enjoying the music immensely. The SE5 offers tons of resultion, I wasn't expecting this to be honest.

May I ask where did you buy your HM901? I see you are also in Eu so I am interested, who knows maybe one day I will go crazy enough to order this. Or maybe HM802 with balanced card. It offers more battery but probably a tad less clarity while giving more color to music.

There are a couple of others who offer the player but I never ordered there.

The HM-802 will sound pretty good. I don't expect it do be night and days vs. the hm-901.

Seems like a fair price for Eu standarts, thank you so much flaco, I will see when he gets HM802. How is the demoing system work with mp4audio do you know? The website is in German, I don't understand If their customer service talks English I might ask for demo units of DX100 and HM901/802 to see if they are pocketable for my needs or not. It might change my decision completely. I don't question the sound, I am sure it will be good, the problem for me is their size and battery life respectively.

I for myself never demoed a unit. But from reading through forums and experiences with the shop owner, I expect it to be really good. It's so cool because you can just demo a unique melody pp6 unit for 300 €. It costs over 2000 if you buy it. Just write an e-mail and ask. You don't have to buy it right away.

The newest generation DAP's suffer all from low battery life. I think there won't be much change in there till some new dac's hit the market with lower power specs. Who knows, maybe the new sabres will be able to eat less battery. As for the HM-901, you have two desktop dac chips in there.

I for myself never demoed a unit. But from reading through forums and experiences with the shop owner, I expect it to be really good. It's so cool because you can just demo a unique melody pp6 unit for 300 €. It costs over 2000 if you buy it. Just write an e-mail and ask. You don't have to buy it right away.

The newest generation DAP's suffer all from low battery life. I think there won't be much change in there till some new dac's hit the market with lower power specs. Who knows, maybe the new sabres will be able to eat less battery. As for the HM-901, you have two desktop dac chips in there.

Demoing system is a bit strange then, you pay 1k to demo HM901, but the dap costs 1k anyway, they reimburse you after you safely give the dap back right? Sorry for extra questiong, I might get lost in translation.

You are right on battery life. With the current technology, there is not much to do about it. With the new coming ones maybe we can see different stories. DX90 will use dual ESS Sabre chips, not the desktop level ones though, they use the lower end version, designed for mobile platforms.

Demoing system is a bit strange then, you pay 1k to demo HM901, but the dap costs 1k anyway, they reimburse you after you safely give the dap back right? Sorry for extra questiong, I might get lost in translation.

You are right on battery life. With the current technology, there is not much to do about it. With the new coming ones maybe we can see different stories. DX90 will use dual ESS Sabre chips, not the desktop level ones though, they use the lower end version, designed for mobile platforms.

I think there went something wrong with the HM-901 and the price for the demo unit. I think it would cost 300€ but I am not sure. It wouldn't make sense to me paying 1000€ for demoing. Yes they have to reimburse if you ship back the player. He might ask if you're interested to buy. if your are you will be able to pay the rest for the new one. That's what I know about it and what makes the most sense to me.

I think there went something wrong with the HM-901 and the price for the demo unit. I think it would cost 300€ but I am not sure. It wouldn't make sense to me paying 1000€ for demoing. Yes they have to reimburse if you ship back the player. He might ask if you're interested to buy. if your are you will be able to pay the rest for the new one. That's what I know about it and what makes the most sense to me.

Ok man, thanks a lot seriously, great help. I am sure I am gonna demo a few players before I buy something. Right now, I am preparing for my master exams, Whole January I will be busy. When I have a time to breathe sure I will try at least HM901 and DX100. Then I will see if their size and battery life is acceptable for their SQ. If I can live with DX100, I might get HDP R10 from Japan to get a little extra battery life and better amp section or I can go down the HM802 w/balanced card route.

Anyway, there is time in front of me. Again, I appreciate all the info. I do hope you enjoy SE5way as much as I do, even with low end sources, they give me an experience I never lived before. Well it is partly due to they are being my first high end purchase probably